Comic Title: Superman:The Greatest Stories Ever Told Vol. 1 TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2004
On Sale Date: August 18, 2004 Direct Market Date August 18, 2004
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Direct Market Date August 11, 2004
Source: Previews, Vol. 14 #6 (#186)

Cover Price: $19.95
Page Count: 192
Editor: Anton Kawasaki

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The Origin of Superman & His Powers"
Pages: 3

Feature(s):
Superman (of Earth-2)

Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Joe Shuster

Reprinted From:
Superman #1 (1939)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (expanded origin revealed in this story; last appearance in New Adventures of Superboy #16; next appearance in Action Comics #2)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lois Lane (same as the first story of Action Comics #1; next appearance in Action Comics #2)
• George Taylor (appears in the expanded portion of the story which is his earliest chronological appearance; next appearance in Action Comics #2)
• Pa Kent (first appearance; see comment below; last appearance in Action Comics #132; next appearance in Superman #53)
• Mary Kent (first appearance; see comment below; last appearance in Superman #53; next appearance in Superman #53)

Villain(s)

• Bea Carroll (a singer and murderess, name revealed in this story; no further appearances)
• A wife beater, Butch Matson and his boys, and Senator Barrows (no further appearances)
• A lynch mob (not in the original story; no further appearances)
• Alex Greer (a lobbyist; next appearance in Action Comics #2)

Other Character(s)

• Sims (an accused murderer; not in the original story; no further appearances)
• The Governor, his assistant, Evelyn Curry, and a battered woman (no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Kal-El (arrives on Earth; last appearance in Superman #53; next appearance in Superman #53)

Comments:
This story reprints the first story of Action Comics #1 with an additional four pages which were excluded when the story first saw print. The new pages explain how Clark Kent was hired and immediately precede pages 7-18 which are are entirely reprint material.

A new two page expanded origin and explanation of Superman’s powers precedes the story. The original origin page from the first story of Action Comics #1 is not included. This origin would eventually be fleshed out into a full story in the first story of Superman #53.

The origin sequence shows the Kents for the first time. Pa Kent's first name, John, is not given in this story. Ma Kent's first name is given as Mary. The Kents appear concurrently in the first story of Superman #53.

This story originally was not titled; the title shown here was given on the contents page of Action Comics Archives Vol. 1 in which this story is reprinted.

This story continues in the first story of Action Comics #2.

Only pages #1-3 are reprinted.

Synopsis:
Superman, a man from a dying planet where civilization was far more advanced came to Earth as a baby and developed incredible powers as he matured. Now he uses these power to benefit mankind as a champion of the oppressed.

Clark Kent tries to gain employment at the Daily Star, but the editor does not wish to hire him. Kent, as Superman, learns of a gathering lynch mob. He investigates and saves the life of Sims, a prisoner who reveals that he is not the murderer, Bea Carroll is. Clark phones in the story and is hired.

Superman then visits Bea Carroll, confronting her with the murder of Jack Kennedy. Bea pulls a gun on Superman, but he stops her and forces a confession from her.

Publicly revealing himself for the first time, Superman brings confessed murderess, Bea Carroll to the Governor’s mansion in time to prevent the scheduled execution of Evelyn Curry, the woman accused of the crime.

When he changes into his secret identity as Clark Kent, he reports to his newly acquired job as a reporter at the Daily Star. In the newsroom, Clark receives a tip concerning a wife-beating. Arriving as Superman, he gives the man a taste of his own medicine before turning him over to the police.

Later, Clark asks pretty reporter Lois Lane for a date. Lois reluctantly goes out with Clark, but is disgusted when he won’t stand up to some hoodlums who harass Lois. Lois leaves the club, but she is kidnapped by Butch Mason, one of her harassers. Clark dons his costume and overtakes Butch’s car. He rescues Lois and leaves Butch for the police.

Clark is later assigned to cover a war in the small South American country of San Monte. Before he makes the trip, Clark travels to Washington D.C. and sees Senator Barrows speaking to lobbyist Alex Greer concerning a senate bill. Leaping around the city with Greer tucked under his arm, Superman trys to force Greer to tell him who is behind the corruption of the Senator.